An 8-year-old special needs student was killed at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino, Calif., on Monday when a teacher’s husband stormed into the classroom and opened fire.
The student died shortly after being airlifted to a local hospital, according to school Superintendent Dale Marsden, who spoke at a press conference Monday afternoon. Another student, 9, was injured, but is in stable condition.
The suspect, identified as 53-year-old Cedric Anderson of Riverside, Calif., was said to have signed into the school’s main office and said he was there to bring an item to his wife. Witnesses reported that Anderson walked into the classroom and without saying anything, shot his wife, Karen Duane Smith, with a large caliber revolver. Anderson then shot and killed himself.
Two students who had been standing behind the teacher were hit by gunshots in the shooting. Law enforcement officials did not disclose how the two children were struck. A total of 15 students between first and fourth grades were in the classroom at the time of the assault, as well as two teacher aides.
The husband and wife had been married for a few months but were said to be estranged. Officials added that Anderson had a criminal record, but did not share details about his history.
